Machine for making incandescent-electric-lamp bulbs.



No. 764,844. PATENTED JULY 12, 1904.

H. W. HARPER. MACHINE FOR MAKING INCANDESGENT ELECTRIC LAMP BULBS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 30. 1904.

N0 MODEL. I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

5M4.) owtoz $61 @51 Q1 [Teen m3 W J No. 764,844. PATENTED JULY 12, 1904.

H. W. HARPER.

MAGHINB FOR MAKING INGANDESGENT ELECTRIC LAMP BULBS.

APPLICATION FILED APR, 30. 1904.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHBET 2.

illlllIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllllllllllll TINTTEU STATES Patented July 12, 1904,

PATENT @FHQE.

HARVEY W. HARPER, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO HOW ARI) MINIATURE LAMP COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MACHINE FOR MAKING INCANDESCENT-ELECTRlC-LAIVIP BULBS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 764,844, dated July 12, 1904-.

Application filed April 30, 1904. Serial No. 205,768. (No model.) I

To (1,, when) 7/ 'mm con/earn.-

Be it known that I, HARVEY W. HARPER, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Making Incandescent-Electric-Lamp Bulbs, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My invention relates to machines for making incandescentelectrielamp bulbs, and

more particularly to a type of such machines for making tipless bulbs.

In the electrical art for certain purposes it is desirable to use substantially straight bulbs of smalldimension, particularly in telephoneswitchboards and surgical instruments and other portable lighting appliances. In such connections the light-rays from the filament radiate from the top of the bulb and are usually augmented by lenses or reflectors or both. In such bulbs as are now commonly used the process of manufacture results in the formation on the top of the bulb of a small tip of considerable comparative thickness relative to the remaining portions of the bulb which casts irregular shadows when the filament be comes incandescent to the serious loss of efficiency in the lamp. To obviate this difficulty, bulbs have been made by a hand process without such a tip; but the expenseof manufacture has been found to be suificiently great to prevent the general adoption in the arts of such lamps.

The main object of this invention is to provide a machine which can be utilized to produce tipless incandescent-lamp bulbs, particularly of the class above referred to, at a small cost of production.

A further object is to provide such a machine wherein the several processes necessary to the production of a bulb preparatory to the exhaustion of air therefrom may be consecutively performed without reheating or rehandling the glass tube and Without that degree of skill required in the hand production of tipless bulbs.

A still further object is to provide a simple mechanism by which the drawing and the holding clutch may be revolved synchronously and during such rotation at the required instant separated to so divide the tube as to permit the formation of the bulb.

A still further object is to provide such a machine wherein the inside part may besealed within the tube with the same mechanism required to form the bulb.

A still further object is to provide clutches so disposed relative to their axes as to not obstruct the space necessary for the tube, and which, furthermore, may be so regulated as to their strength of grip as to permit the adaptation of the machine to bulbs of various diameters.

A still further object is to provide such a machine wherein the blower-pipe necessary to the formation of the tube is rotatable synchronously with the clutches and the contained tube to facilitate the application of a removable connection between such and the exhaust-tube of the inner part; and a still further object is to provide a machine of this character which will be simple in construction, durable in use, and operated bya mechanism which is not complicated and can be actuated by comparatively unskilled labor.

The invention consists. primarily, in the combination, in a machine ofthis character, of opposed clutches or holders, means whereby said clutches or holders may be separated to divide the bulb from the original tube, and a blowpipe adapted to be removably connected with the exhaust-tube of the inner part, with means whereby the tube is heated'and fused during the formation of the bulb, and in such other novel features of construction and ar rangement of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof. Fig.

3 is a sectional plan view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Flg. i 1s an enlarged perspective View of the mechamsm for separating the clutches or holders, and Fig. 5 is a view of a tube illustrating the several steps in the formation of atipless bulb.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings, A indicates a table upon which the bed B of the machine is mounted. A standard C, provided with parallel hangerframes D E, one disposed above and one below the table A, is mounted to the rear of the machine-bed B. Each frame D E is provided with bearings D D E E, parallel with the bed B, and D D E E arranged at opposite ends of the frame and perpendicular to said firstmentioned bearings. Also mounted on the bed B is a semicircular burner-tube F, of ordinary construetion,comprising agas-chamber F and a compressed-air chamber F burner-plates G,disposed concentrically about an imaginary center in alinement with the bearings D E, and blowpipes H for projecting the flames of the several burner-plates G toward the center, above referred to.

Gasand air under pressure is fed to the chambers F F, respectively, through tubes E F, the tube F being provided with an ordinary pineh-valve F", by means of which the pressure through the several blowpipes H is regulated.

The details heretofore described are either matters of mere mechanical expediency or else are well known to the arts, and are not therefore material to the invention.

Mounted in the bearings D E, respectively,

are shafts a, carrying oppositely disposed 1 clutches or holders I) 6, both of which shafts,

be drawn to divide the tube properly to form i the bulb. This drawing operation I provide for by so mountingsaid shaft to a, or preferably t-he upper of each shaft. only, as to permit axial movement thereof to accomplish the separation of the holders .7) b. The mechanism I preferably employ for this purpose is a rack c, mounted in a way cl, formed in an extension (Z of the bed B, a pinion 0, also mounted in said extension,ahandwheel e,projected forwardly 1 of the machine to be readily accessible to thel operator,"a rod extension 0 of the rack 0, having an upper bearing in the frame D, anda yoke 0 adapted to straddle the shaft (4 and engage oppositely-disposed abutments a).

thereon.

To insure the even heating of the glass of the tube, it is essential to constantly subject the entire circumference of the tube adjacent to the point of subsequent division to the same degree and duration of heat. The simplest way of accomplishing this is to turn the tube f and with the gear a (1.

although 1 apprehend that similar effects can be produced by rotating the burners about the tube as a center. I prefer to rotate the tubeholding mechanism, however, and for this purpose provide the shafts a a each with a bevel-gear a (0*, one of which, as (0 is splined thereon to permit the axial movement of the shaft, herein referred to. Mounted in the bearing D E is a main shaft f, having bevelgears f f on the opposite ends thereof and a driving-pulleyf Mounted in bearings D D and E E, respectively, are counter-shafts g /L, carrying on each end thereof a bevelgear 9 it, meshing, respectively, with a gear The manuer'of mounting said shafts and keying said gears and said pulley thereto is immaterial to this invention.

Each clutch b is the duplicate of the other in structure and mode of operation, and the description of but one of them in the interests of brevity will be entered into. Inasmuch as it is requisite that the tube 7c and its exhausttube project beyond the clutch or holder 7), it is necessary to provide a space to accommodate such. The clutch proper comprises oppositely-disposed arms m m, pivoted to a support a, which is offset from the shaft (0 by means of a block n and hanger 12?. The long arm of each arm m is provided with an elongated V-shaped jaw, which is through its form adapted to grasp tubes of different diameters. The short end of each, arm projects beyond the support 92, and is engaged by a swinging cross-head 0, pivoted to the hanger 11. and forced against the arms m by a spring thus normally maintaining the jaws closed. The said spring is carried by a set-screw p, mounted in the hanger v2. and acts against the head of said screw. It will readily be observed that said spring may be tensioned by said setscrew and the grip of the jaws thus regulated to adapt them to various sizes of tubes. The block a and the various parts carried thereby are rotatable with the shaft a. To facilitate the insertion and withdrawal of the tube from the clutches 5, the outer ends of the arms 17?. m are outwardly flared.

The operation of the machine will be best understood when considered in connection with Fig. 5, wherein the result of each distinct operation upon the tube is illustrated. For convenience of expression the upper clutch or holder will be termed the drawingclutch and the lower the holding-clutch. Preparatory to putting the machine in operation the inner part 70 of the bulb carrying the filament 70 is inserted in the lower end of the tube in, with the filament-terminals placed between said inner part and said tube, as shown. The parts thus assembled are placed in the clutches I), the drawing-clutch engaging the tube toward its free end and theholdingclutch engaging the exhaust-tube In of the inconstantly and evenly during such heating, .I ner part. Thisis accomplished by simply pressing said tubes against the outwardly-flared ends of the leversmm', thus opening saidjaws against the tension of the spring 3) exerted thereon through the cross-head 0. The said jaws automatically close upon said tubes, and the strength of grip may then be regulated to avoid undue pressure on the tubes and insure the proper action of each in subsequent operations. The drawing-clutch requires slightlygreater pressure than the holding, as the latter must permit the exhaust-tube to slide therein after the sealing of the inner part to bring the tube to form the top of the bulb within the tire. A rubber tube Z1 is then inserted upon the nipple a and the end of the exhaust-pipe k. The tubes 7a A" and their appurtenances being in place, the pinion (a is rotated by the wheel e to either raise or lower the drawing clutch or holder through the rack 0, rod 0', and yoke o to bring the lower part of the tube I about opposite the several burnerplates, the tube is" flexing to permit this. The opposed clutches are then rotated synchronously by the various bevel-gears and shafts, heretofore described, power being applied through the pulley f 2 and any desired beltshifting mechanism. The flame is then diverted by the various blowpipes H, the strength of the jet being regulated by the operator through the pinch-valve F. The jets are thus centered upon the lower end of the tube A, the repeated rotation of which subjects all parts thereof to the flame-jets, causing the fusing of the glass of the tube in a manner to cause the bottom tube to collapse about the inner part 71: thus effectually sealing this part with its filament Z1 in said tube. Thereafter the pinch-valve is opened to reduce or remove the air-pressure forming the flame-jets and the drawing-clutch lowered, as before, until that point of the tubek which will form the top of the bulb is opposite the several burners G. The tube being in the proper position, gas-jets are formed as before,

which fuse the glass of the tube to an equal degree of softness throughout at the point within the influence of said jets through the continued rotation of the opposed clutches. When the glass is thoroughly heated or fused, the tube collapses, as at a, Fig. 5, whereupon the wheel a and rack-and-rflnion mechanism is used to separate the holders 7), thus drawing the tube and dividing the upper part thereof and the part which is to form the bulb, which operation forms temporarily a central tip, as at m, Fig. 5. This tip, however, with the central top portion of the embryo bulb, immediately sags, as at ;2 Fig. 5, and becomes diffused, so as to have the entire top of substantially the same thickness. After this stage the drawing-clutch and separating mechanism become inoperative, and it remains to merely form the top of the bulb. Air under low pressure is conducted through the lower shaft (4 and discharged into the bulb (with its top still heated) through the tube l5, exhaust- I have described the operation of the ma-' chine where the lower clutch-shaft and its air connection are used for forming or blowing the top; but, if desired, the air connection may be made with the upper shaft (L and the tube 71: and its appurtenances reversed in position. This would require a reversal of the movement of parts necessary to the several operations; but the mode of operation in each instance and the results attained will be the same.

Herein I employ the expression separating the opposed clutches, by which I refer to that axial movement of either of the shafts a (or both, if desired, if the design of the machine be varied to require such) necessary to divide the bulb from the balance of the tube. \Vhen the burners are stationary, it is necessary in order to insure the proper difl'usion of the heat throughout the tube Z: that one of the clutches shall revolve about a center fixed relative to the burners.

The detailed description of the burner F forms no part of this invention, and I. make no claim to such. to the art; but various other types of such burners can be used without affecting the function and mode of operation of the machine described. Various other details of construction may be altered without similar effeet, and it is therefore not my intention to limit the invention to such detail.

A machine such as described will produce tipless bulbs rapidly and, owing to a possi- That shown is well known bility of using short length of tubes 7?, on account of the mechanical handling of such tubes, with a minimum loss of material.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with opposed clutches or holders, means whereby said clutches or holders may be separated to divide the bulb from the origi nal tube, and an air-conduit adapted to be connected with the exhaust-tube of the inner part of a bulb, of means whereby a tube is heated and fused.

2. In a machine of the class described, the

combination with opposed clutches or holders,

means whereby said clutches or holders may be separated to divide the bulb from the original tube, a driving mechanism for rotating said clutches or holders synchronously and an air-conduit adapted to be connected with the exhaust-tube of the inner part of a tube, of means whereby a tube is heated and fused.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a drawing and a holding clutch or holder, disposed oppositely each other, means whereby said drawing clutch or holder is moved away from said holdingclutch or holder to divide the bulb from the original tube, and an airconduit adapted to be connected with the exhaust-tube of the inner part of a bulb, of means whereby a tube is heated and fused.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a drawing, and a holding clutch or holder disposed oppositely each other, means whereby said drawing clutch or holder is moved away from said holding-clutch or holder to divide the bulb from the original tube, a driving mechanism for rotating said clutches or holders synchronously and an airconduit adapted to be connected with the ex haust-tube of the inner part of a bulb, of means whereby a tube is heated and fused.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with opposed clutches or holders, means whereby said clutches or holders may be separated to divide the bulb from the original tube and atubular support for one of said clutches adapted to be connected with the exhaust-tube of the inner part of abulb, of means whereby a tube is heated and fused.

6. In a machine of the class described the combination with a drawing, and a holding clutch or holder disposed oppositely each other, means whereby said drawing-clutch or holder is moved away from said holding-clutch or holder to divide the bulb from the original tube, a driving mechanism for rotating said clutches or holders synchronously and a tubular support for said holding-clutch adapted to be connected with the exhaust-tube of the inner part of a bulb, of means whereby a tube is heated and fused.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a drawing, and a holdingclutch or holder, disposed oppositely each other, a rack-and-pinion mechanism and connections between said rack and said drawingclutch or holder whereby said drawing-clutch or holder is reeiprocated relative to said hold.- ing-clutch or holder, a driving mechanism for rotating said clutches or holders synchronously and a tubular support for said holdingclutch adapted to be connected with the exhaust-tube of the inner part of abulb, of means whereby a tube is heated and fused.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with oppositely disposed axially-alined shafts one of which is tubular, a drawing, and a holding clutch carried by the adjoining ends of said shafts, said tubular shaft being adapted to be connected with the exhaust-tube of the inner part of a bulb, a gear splined upon the shaft of said drawingclutch, a gear mounted on said tubular shaft, a main driving-shaft provided with means whereby it may be rotated and gears of equal diameter mounted on the opposite ends there of, counter-shafts carrying gears of equal diameter respectively, meshing with a gear on said main driving-shaft and the gears carried by the respective clutch-shafts, a rack-andpinion mechanism and connections between said rack and said shaft supporting said drawing-clutch, of means wherebya tube is heated and fused.

9. In a'machine of the class described, the

combination with opposed clutches or holders, supports therefor offset relative to the jaws of said clutches, means whereby said clutches or holders may be separated. to divide the bulb from the original tube, and an air-conduit adapted to be connected with the exhaust-tube of the inner part of a bulb, of means whereby a tube is heated and fused.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination with oppositely-disposed axiallyalined shafts, one of which is tubular, means whereby said shafts are rotated synchronously, means whereby one of said shafts is moved axially, supports carried by said shafts respectively, offset relative to'said shafts and a clutch carried by said supports respectively in alinement with said shafts, said tubular shaft being adapted to be connected with the exhaust-tube of the inner part of a bulb, of means whereby a tube is heated and fused.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination with oppositely-disposed axiallyalined shafts, one of which is tubular, means whereby said shafts are rotated synchronously, means whereby one of said shafts is moved axially, supports carried by said shafts respectively, offset relative to said shafts, a clutch carried by said supports respectively in alinement with said shafts and means where by said clutches are automatically closed, said tubular shaft being adapted to be connected. with the exhaust-tube of the inner part of a bulb, of means whereby a tube is heated and fused.

12. In a machine of the class described, the combination with oppositely-disposed axiallyalined shafts one of which is tubular, means whereby said shafts are rotated synchronously, means whereby one of said shafts is moved axially, supports carried by said supports respectively offset relative to said shafts,

said lever-arm, a movable cross-head engaging the other arm thereof, and a spring acting on said cross-head whereby said jaws automatically close.

14. In a machine of the class described a clutch mechanism comprising a suitable support, oppositely-disposed pivoted lever-arms, a gripping-jaw carried by one arm of each said lever-arm. a movable cross-head engaging the other arm thereof, a spring acting on said cross-head whereby said jaws automatically close, and meansregulating the tension of said spring whereby the grip of said jaws is regulated.

15. In a machine of the class described, a clutch mechanism comprising a suitable sup- VVM. H. BLAIN, F. T. WEN'IWORIH. 

